Impact of Brief Intervention Services on Drug-Using Truant Youths' Self-Reported Delinquency and Arrest Charges: A Longitudinal Study

A tailored cognitive behavioral program for juvenile justice-referred females at risk of substance use and delinquency: A pilot quasi-experimental trial

This pilot quasi-experimental trial tested a gender-responsive cognitive behavioral group intervention with 87 court-involved female adolescents (5 juvenile courts) who were at indicated risk for substance use disorder. Participants in the intervention (n = 57) received twice weekly group sessions for 10 weeks (20 sessions) focused on building emotional, thought and behavior regulation skills and generalizing these skills to relationally-based scenarios (GOAL: Girls Only Active Learning). Youth in the control condition (n = 30) received services as usual, which included non-gender-specific aggression management training, individual counseling and no services. The GOAL program was found to be acceptable to youth and parents and feasible to implement within a juvenile court setting using skilled facilitators. Compared to services as usual, the program significantly and meaningfully reduced self-reported delinquent behavior (β = 0.84, p < 0.05) over 6 months, and exhibited trend level effects for reduced substance use (β = 0.40, p = 0.07). The program had mixed or no effects on family conflict and emotion regulation skills. These findings are discussed in light of treatment mechanisms and gender-responsive services.

The adaptation of an evidence-based brief intervention for substance-using adolescents and their caregivers

Objective: Adolescent substance use is prevalent and associated with additional risk behaviours. Research shows that evidence-based brief interventions with adolescents and their main caregiver may mitigate the progression of substance use. Method: We used the ADAPT-ITT framework to develop a needs-based, culturally-sensitive intervention. Five focus groups with adolescents (n = 30), three focus groups with separate main caregivers of adolescents who use substances (n = 21), key informant interviews and an expert meeting, were conducted. Results: Adolescents described the need to decrease risk behaviours, while adolescents and caregivers requested additional support. The core components of the original intervention were retained, with some additions. The newly adapted RAD-PAL intervention was viewed as acceptable. Conclusion: Despite apparent acceptability, we need to test feasibility and efficacy in a trial.

Substance Use and HIV Among Justice-Involved Youth: Intersecting Risks

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review discusses recent advances in research on the intersection of HIV prevention and substance use among youth involved with the justice system. We discuss current themes of recent findings and provide guidance for researchers, policymakers, and clinicians on the next steps in advancing work in this nascent area.

RECENT FINDINGS

Of the 46 studies that measured HIV risk and substance use among justice-involved youth, 56% were cross-sectional designs, 22% were intervention trials, and 22% were longitudinal designs. Cross-sectional studies suggested that substance use is highly associated with HIV risk behaviors. Longitudinal analyses underscored the importance of understanding contextual risk factors, such as trauma and violence. Intervention trials demonstrated improved scientific rigor of behavioral approaches. Despite recent advances, research in this field remains limited. Future directions include longer follow-up periods, consideration of biomedical HIV-prevention interventions, and a focus on dissemination and implementation science of efficacious interventions.